Diocese of LLANDAFF YR EGLWYS YNG NGHYMRU | THE CHURCH IN WALES Spring 2017 Linking with Christians overseas Bound together by faith Inside Mapping out ministry areas New music maestro NEWS My Dear Friends I just wanted to thank you, as a diocese, for your very generous retirement gift – I was deeply touched. Thank you too to all the clergy and the representative laity who came to my farewell service on 29th January. I am only sorry we had to curtail the numbers because the cathedral was too small to hold all who wanted to come. It has been an enormous privilege to serve you as your bishop. Thank you for the welcome, the hospitality and the generosity you have always shown towards me and to Hilary when she was alive. I will always remember Farewell service for you with deep affection and assure you of my prayers. the Archbishop of Wales Yours in God’s love More than 500 people, representing Dr Barry Morgan. During the service he churches from across South Wales, was thanked warmly for all his ministry packed into Llandaff Cathedral for an and given a standing ovation from the emotional farewell service to mark the whole congregation. retirement of the Archbishop of Wales, Shortlist of candidates to be met as appointment process continues The process to appoint the next Bishop felt by all the candidates considered by “The Constitution of the Church in of Llandaff was continuing to a further the Electoral College who did not secure Wales requires that an electoral college stage with shortlisted candidates being enough support to be elected as Bishop meets for up to three days and that if met, as Croeso went to press. of Llandaff. However we are satisfied that the college fails to elect, the decision The appointment of the next Bishop the Electoral College process was carried passes to the Bench of Bishops. The of Llandaff fell to the Bench of Bishops out properly and fairly. Bishops are now acting carefully in full after a three-day meeting of the Electoral “The meeting was confidential and accordance with the Constitution. Unlike College in February ended with no we will not comment on speculation the Electoral College process, there is candidate receiving enough votes to be about the nomination and discussion no fixed timetable for an appointment declared Bishop-Elect. of candidates. However, we strongly process, however, the Bishops would The Bishops met to discuss a possible deny allegations of homophobia in the wish to announce any appointment made appointment, having consulted widely process. Neither homosexuality nor as soon as all necessary formalities are within their dioceses. They will now meet participation in a civil partnership are a bar finalised. The appointment process is with short-listed candidates. to any candidate being either nominated underway and we see no reason to halt it. In response to further questions about or elected as a Bishop in the Church in “The Bishops have stressed during the Electoral College for the Bishop of Wales. Moreover, this was made clear to the whole process that whoever Llandaff, the Church in Wales has issued members of the Electoral College by its becomes Bishop of Llandaff, whatever the following statement: President, the Bishop of Swansea and their circumstances, will receive their full “We understand the disappointment Brecon. support.” Bishop David steps down The Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, David Education, Schools and Young People enable that person to “run free”. He said Wilbourne, has announced his intention and represented the Church on the it had been the ‘greatest privilege’ to be to step down on Easter Day. National Society Council. Assistant Bishop of Llandaff – ‘a diocese Bishop David was appointed eight In a statement sent to all diocesan teaming with life and hope’ - and to have years ago to assist Dr Morgan, who was clergy, Bishop David said he wanted to worked with Dr Morgan. also Archbishop of Wales. He has also “hand over the baton” to Dr Morgan’s For full statement and tribute visit served as the Church’s lead bishop on successor as Bishop of Llandaff to http://llandaff.churchinwales.org.uk/ 2 | CROESO Spring 2017 NEWS From OXO tins to online donations….. 60By Mari years McNeill, South of Wales Christian Regional Coordinator Aid collecting Reaching out to refugees Sixty years ago, something special that were feeding us, and I never forgot it. fun day in Dinas happened. In May 1957 churches That is why I volunteer for Christian Aid. Powys and a throughout Britain and Ireland decided to The people then who were contributing teddy bear put aside one week in the year to outreach through Christian Aid Week helped me to parachute off into their communities, inviting their survive. I feel I owe my life to the cause”. the top of St neighbours to be part of the churches’ Theodor is 91, and a dedicated Christian Mary’s Church ongoing work of helping refugees in the Aid Week volunteer in Scotland. tower in aftermath of the Second World War. That Fittingly Christian Aid Week 2017 Whitchurch! signalled the first Christian Aid Week. focusses on our work today with And Coity, Six areas within the Diocese organised refugees in Europe. Since the borders Nolton and collections for that first week – Aberdare, closed last year leaving thousands of Brackla kicked of the Blaendulais, Cardiff, Dowlais and refugees stranded, Christian Aid’s work Week early when they decided to lay on Merthyr, Pontardawe and in Greece includes setting a Big Brekkie in February. Hoping to get Tonyrefail. Church members Llandaff up community kitchens. along thirty or forty people on a Saturday used whatever they had to Cathedral ……. Providing stoves and cash morning, with a week to go the sign-up make collecting tins (think, to allow refugees to buy lists were into the eighties and a few gate OXO and Ovaltine!) and the first church and cook their own food crashers lifted the total number of ‘full is an important shred of boldly took to the streets. in Wales to English’ served to well over a hundred! Many of us have stories autonomy. We are also Every single action counts to raise vital to share about why we get ever raise over providing legal protection funds to bless many lives. From 1957, involved in Christian Aid services to unaccompanied when a generation of Christians decided Week, how we’re inspired by £10,000. children and families and they would not stand by while people Jesus’ love for us, and how housing support to some of suffered in refugee camps, to today – we it is an act of witness in our communities. the most vulnerable refugees awaiting won’t turn our backs now. What will you Orphaned at eight, Theodor Davidovic relocation. be doing this Christian Aid Week? was a teenager during the Second The contribution of the Diocese To get involved (14-20 May) visit www. World War and fought in the resistance counts. Last year Llandaff Cathedral christianaid. movement in Serbia against Germany. reenergised their house to house org.uk/caweek In the political chaos after the war’s end, collecting and became the first church in or the Cardiff he fled his country. He lived in refugee Wales to ever raise over £10,000. Many office cardiff@ camps in Europe for two and a half churches tried initiatives to strengthen christian-aid.org years: “It was the Christians who sent their outreach, including a Victorian tea 02920844646 the parcels. It was the big organisations party in Peterston-super-Ely, a family CROESO Spring 2017 | 3 NEWS More women pleaseA group from the launch of MAECymru The Revd Sue Brown of MAECymru – an organisation set up to promote gender equality in the Church in Wales – examines the make-up of our diocesan committees and urges women to take up more senior roles. I wonder what role you play in your as wardens, treasurers, secretaries, and It is important because balance gives church? This has to be a question for all as members of the plethora of associated perspective whether it is work-life of us, male or female. I am not just being committees. And so there is no lack balance or, seemingly more mundanely, nosey, so please bear with me. Can you of skill or experience, enthusiasm or how our committees are constituted – lay/ reflect for a moment on why you have training. However, it is a different story ordained, female/male. Lack of balance taken on that role? Was it something when we look at the make-up of diocesan distorts perspective because it means you chose to do or was committees. that areas of experience and information it a case of necessity? The table speaks for are missing. The result is the distortion Maybe you stepped into itself and if you look at of the decision making process and its the breach because no the diocesan website outcomes. This cannot be good for the one else volunteered? you will see a similar Church and our mission as disciples, or What role might you like picture. In areas of for us as individuals. to fulfil and what talents/ spirituality, education, As we move forward with Ministry experience/training/ safeguarding, support Areas and the appointment of Bishop enthusiasm qualifies and administration women Joanna as the Church in Wales’ first you for that position? Revd Sue Brown are well represented, but female Bishop, perhaps now is as good Goodness, this is all when it comes to finance, a time as any to reflect on the nitty gritty beginning to sound like a buildings and more senior of our church and diocesan committees, job application form.